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May 2014 Graduation

Graduation is on Saturday, May 31, 2014, starting at 4 p.m. at the John H. Mulroy Civic Center, 800 South State Street, Syracuse, N.Y.

Graduates should arrive at the Civic Center no later than 3:15 p.m.

Individuals with a disability who may need accommodations are requested to contact the Graduation Planning Committee as soon as possible so that appropriate arrangements may be made. Please call or email Graduation Chair, Tracy Zappola at 315-472-3176 or tracy.zappola@esc.edu to arrange for assistance.

There will be no place to store valuables such as bags and purses, so please leave all your valuables with your guests or store in something small that can fit under your regalia.

We encourage all students to order and wear their regalia at graduation. Information about regalia was sent with your invitation. You can order your regalia from Jostens (www.jostens.com).

Graduation Day Timing and Events

Graduates should arrive at the Civic Center no later than 3:15 p.m.

Arriving graduates go to the robing area for check-in and receive a name card. It is very important to keep this name card with you as graduates need to hand it to the announcer before crossing the stage.

Fifteen minutes before the ceremony begins, everyone will be lined up according to academic degree starting with the associate degrees, followed by the bachelor's and then the master's degrees.

The platform party leads the procession.

As the procession enters the theater, graduates will be directed where to sit, with each row being filled from front to back accordingly. It is important that once seated graduates remain seated unless otherwise instructed.

The ceremony begins with remarks from the dean, followed by the faculty chair, president, student speakers, and the keynote speaker. The dean will then return to the stage and ask the associate degree candidates to rise. Each row will be called up individually. There will be a college representative directing and assisting you to the stage.

Graduates walk to the stage, stopping at the stairs until told to proceed. Once told to proceed, the graduate hands his/her name card to the announcer and then proceeds across stage to shake hands with the president and the dean and receive a medallion. The graduate continues on to shake hands with the alumni representative and receives an Empire State College pin. The graduate then exits the stage and returns to their seat at the direction of a college representative.

This process continues for each graduate through the master's degree candidates. Once the ceremony ends with closing remarks, the platform party, followed by the graduates, exits through the side exit next to the stage.

There will be a representative outside to direct graduates to the reception area.

Local Restaurants

There are a number of restaurants located within walking distance of the Civic Center. Many are located within Armory Square. Other near bu restaurants include: